View Full Version : Jessops to close 80 stores?
woadrage
17-06-2007, 16:54
The Sunday Telegraph's business pages report that Jessops is to announce the closure of around 80 stores (around a quarter of the total) this week and will concentrate on developing its website and on-line activities. Also that the private equity group which owns MFI is looking closely at a bid for the company.
http://tinyurl.com/3bewg6
Hmm, not entirely surprising i'm afraid. They have had real financial problems these last few years. :(
Sadly they are just too expensive and without any real knowledge to justify the extra cost and soften the blow.
If they were cheaper, as cheap as say the cameras2u website they also own and trained their staff to be a bit more knowledgeable then they would be a serious option and would do really well.
mikeleslie
17-06-2007, 17:27
Well with 2 stores within 150 yards of each other in Inverness I would say it makes sense to close at least one of them.
madmitch
17-06-2007, 17:47
We have three in Norwich within 500 metres of each other guess two will go:shrug:
Yeah, they do seem to have multiple stores within a close vicinity. Im guessing most of the 80 will be these.
Geordi69
17-06-2007, 18:22
Leeds has three within a 4-5 min radius, bradford has two.
If I use them, I tend to use the one in Halifax, as they are very helpfull and seem to know what they are on about. Mind it wont take much as I know sod all!!!
Cheerz:thumbs:
GAELICSTORM7
17-06-2007, 19:02
Good !, too expensive and clueless employees, in my experience !
Alan
digitalfailure
17-06-2007, 19:05
A suspicious fire in one of the Chester stores closed one of the city center branches for them.
MFI? Flat pack lenses? Build em yourself.
woadrage
17-06-2007, 19:56
MFI? Flat pack lenses? Build em yourself.
Insist on real wood veneer .....
nottingham has 2 stores within a 5 minute walk of each other too. i dont understand why they have so many so close to each other, doesnt make financial/business sense does it?
woadrage
17-06-2007, 20:05
nottingham has 2 stores within a 5 minute walk of each other too. i dont understand why they have so many so close to each other, doesnt make financial/business sense does it?
I think in most cases one was the original Jessops shop and the other one or two were independents that Jessops acquired and rebranded instead of closing down.
I see, i didnt realise they had bought out other stores in the past. still makes you wonder though, if they could sustain 2 shops so close :thinking:
yodasarmpit
17-06-2007, 20:13
It's the same in Edinburgh, two stores, one at each end of the same street.
With a 3rd on the city outskirts.
Same in Shrewsbury - 2 stores within a couple of hundred yards of each other
Bristol has 3 (or is that 4 including the one in Cribbs) 2 in the center are only 2 mins minute apart
Put most of these problems down to extortionate Business Rates on high street shops forcing them to charge uncompetitive prices. It parallels the banks where online banking is cheaper now than using the high street branch.
An Internet facility can be run from a warehouse on an industrial site at probably half or less rateable value than a high street facility. The Business Rating system is killing off town centres leading to out of town shopping centres and the use of phone or Internet shopping from industrial estate facilities.
Overspending city councils will suddenly wake up to this when most of the city centre shops are boarded up and they have little rating income coming in and more and more shoppers then shun the cities so even the remaining shops see a decline in trade speeding up closures. Keeping introducing rate increases will soon lead to the "law of diminishing returns" kicking in where the more you put the rates up the less revenue you get because industry votes with its feet and either moves to cheaper locations or just closes down throwing more and more of the population out of work, or in the case of manufacturing industry moves abroad then using foreign rather than UK labour.
What is needed is a profits based Income tax system where the local council only can have a fixed percentage of a firms profit instead of being able to levy rates at the level they choose. Then councils, like industry, would have to cut their coat according to their cloth and only be able to spend a sensible part of what is earned in their area. That would mean cutting Councillors expenses and all the unnecessary overmanning and stupid projects they undertake though.
DaveW
I was speaking to someone who still works for them last wednesday and he said that there was a big rumour about store closures and more redundancies at head office in Leicester in the next week or two.Everyone is looking for other jobs before they collapse.They tried to expand way too fast.Only 3 years ago they made 160 staff at their main warehouse in Leicester redundant as they shut it down and chose to outsource to another company as they said they needed somewhere much bigger and could not find a warehouse large enough in Leicestershire.Looks like it was all a complete waste of time.
Really feel for their staff at the moment - must be hellish going into work each day not knowing if when you leave that night you'll still have a job.
cwinhall
18-06-2007, 09:07
There are 3 jessops on 1 street in glasgow City Centre...
mikeleslie
18-06-2007, 10:32
I suspect most of the "duplicate" stores in Scotland were after they took over Photo Factory. Waste of money there I think, money would have been better spent training staff.
desantnik
18-06-2007, 11:08
The "Jessops effect" isn't just one that plagues photography... the big chain stores kill the independents in exactly the same way in every other game too.
The idependents can't compete on price, which ultimately is what most customers see as the deciding factor and at the same time, with the best will in the world, it is impossible for the huge chain to recruit that many staff who really know what they are talking about and offer good customer care.
Even if you are a high street customer, chances are you will go see the independent for the good advice then go to the box shifter to buy it...
The ironic thing now is that the chain stores are having their b*tts kicked by the internet. Doesn't help of course when the company's own website sells cheaper than the stores they operate (true in many cases!)
woadrage
18-06-2007, 11:27
Even if you are a high street customer, chances are you will go see the independent for the good advice then go to the box shifter to buy it...
This has been going on for decades in specialist areas of retail. Back in the 1980s some friends of mine owned a backpacking and ski shop. Whole swathes of their day was spent in fitting people properly for walking boots or advising about the suitability of tents and sleeping bags, only to have an endless stream of customers walk out without buying. They were convinced that people were then ordering the goods from Field & Trek and saving a few quid.
desantnik
18-06-2007, 11:36
Yeah, always used to be go and ask Jessops for the sales advice then go buy it from Dixons (who used to have the biggest sales of camera gear!).
If any of you remember Dixons you'll realise Jessops really aren't that bad lol!
The same muppet who didn't know about cameras also didn't know anything about TVs, hi-fi, computers and mobile phones ;-)
I must have been one of the lucky ones - had good sensible service at Jessops - (Harrogate and York) mind you, know what staff to get to serve you helps. Always prefer to use an Independent but unfortunately not always available. Hope they only close duplicates in the large towns as without them there often will be no chance to actually "feel" the goods and we all will be reduced to pictures on the web.
woadrage
18-06-2007, 12:52
Hope they only close duplicates in the large towns as without them there often will be no chance to actually "feel" the goods and we all will be reduced to pictures on the web.
Isn't that the problem, though? As a shopping society we are no longer prepared to pay a few quid more to the retailer who actually offers good service and advice (and I'm not necessarily putting Jessops in this category - it's a general point I'm making). Instead we treat them as nothing more than a showroom for the "box-shifters" and then complain when the high street places shut down and we can no longer go and handle the stuff we prefer to buy on the web.
To be honest I've had reasonable service from Jessops when I've used them. What I've found most irritating is having to wait behind half a dozen people taking in their snaps for processing or collecting them at lunchtime.
dougdarter
18-06-2007, 13:06
There are two in Carlisle, within a two minute walk.
To be honest, I don't think I've ever used Jessops, always finding independents offer a better deal. I use Ffordes, Aperture Photographic and Mifsuds when I need something, and all have delivered within 24hrs, anything I needed in a hurry.
Perhaps the closure of Jessops (Dixons has already disappeared in Carlisle), will encourage some enterprising independent to open a shop in our area. The only other shop we have is Wilkinsons, and it is even more expensive than the others, and the staff really can't be bothered.
I look on the closing of Dixons as being a positive move for the photographers in this area, though I'm pretty sure others will think differently - those who are usually led like lambs to the slaughter, because there is nowhere else to go.
markgray
18-06-2007, 13:10
I use Jessops, but only if they are within £15-20 of the online shops.
I have bought quite a few camera bodies from them, mainly for peace of mind as i can return it to them.
In fact i just went and put my deposit down on a Canon 30D today, pick it up on Thursday.
I would only buy bodies from them as lenses and accessories they are well more expensive.
merchman
18-06-2007, 15:16
cant say im to suprised , the customer service i received was to be honest appaling.i tried to get the phone number of the service center which were dealing with my D80 repair ,they refused point blank, also said that they had phoned the center on my behalf they haddent .very poor
2 in Cardiff, one band new in a pathetic position to catch passsing trade, reckon their real estate man should be hung out to dry ....
Mcpickering
20-06-2007, 14:25
I work at jessops in Reading and have to say that i personally think that the service we give in our shop is pretty damn good, personally i didnt recieve any sort of training course when i joined but i have had to work things out and get help, but i think that i do give pretty good service, i will do what i can for the customers and i think that is the attitude of at least the rest of the staff in my store, i have heard tales about people being **** in other stores, but we are not all bad, also this is really the first time i have hear the news about the 80 shops being closed, the store that i work at is a rather small one and there is also another slightly larger one in our town, so i really wont be surprised if we are one of the 80.
Guess i'd better start looking for a new job then.
James:|
Sorry to hear it James!
I used to work in Retail and found the same - I gave really good service and always tried hard, but sadly people only really remember the bad experiences...
Cheers,
James
shiato storm
20-06-2007, 14:41
Bristol has 3 (or is that 4 including the one in Cribbs) 2 in the center are only 2 mins minute apart
yep, its mad isn't it?!
I think closing these stores is what they should have done ages ago. they swallowed up loads of good independant retailers and diluted their service to the point its now at - no photography enthusiast really ever goes there cause they know where its either cheaper or advice is better. I did get my 430ex from there recently 'cause it was the cheapest place around, and with the £10 cashback (just arrived!!) it was a good deal - got it price matched to cameras2u before the little shop hand could put it through the till...would have been something horrendous like £50 extra otherwise. I hate that they take the unknowledgable public (thats most non-photo enthusiasts and beyond) for a ride and rip them off royally. Memory card from jessops anyone?
if they sort out their porbs by closing stores service might get better, and will be back on track to help us all again. not quite there yet though.
Mcpickering
20-06-2007, 14:56
OK, i agree some of our prices are slightly higher than other shops but if you look at our website, the prices arent really alot higher than other online stores, also you can match the jessops.com price in-store, another thing, when you run an online store you dont have to worry about the price of buying or renting and running all of the stores and also emplying the staff, if high street stores where to have the same prices as all online stores they would be making a permanent loss, and as i already said the service IS good and you also get hove a look at ro to hold the product before you decide to buy it, which online stores let you do that?
James
Digital Depot?
I too dispise the online/high street price divide. But I actually respect the stores that keep the prices the same.
I think Jessops have their place - after all, if someone who knows very little about cameras wants to buy one, they can fondle them and decide what they like.
Chances are, unless you're prepared for an argument, in a hurry or just desperate, the informed shopper is unlikely to shop there. Why should we when the service from other stores who have an internet presence is just as good?
I'm not picking on Jessops here though, the same applies to Currys, Comet, Dixons, PC World etc. etc. etc. - most of these stores are only there for those who don't feel comfortable buying online. How else do PC World survive? Their markup on leads, inks, etc. is frightening - but because of their location, people WILL pay it.
Cheers,
James
Jonnyreb
20-06-2007, 15:13
OK, i agree some of our prices are slightly higher than other shops but if you look at our website, the prices arent really alot higher than other online stores, also you can match the jessops.com price in-store, another thing, when you run an online store you dont have to worry about the price of buying or renting and running all of the stores and also emplying the staff, if high street stores where to have the same prices as all online stores they would be making a permanent loss, and as i already said the service IS good and you also get hove a look at ro to hold the product before you decide to buy it, which online stores let you do that?
James
James - the Jessops in Guildford has 4 or so staff, one of whom gives excellent advice and i trust his opinion. The others would do well to spell their own name given infinate time and a room full of monkeys. This is not a criticism of the individual so much as an observation that Jessops have squandered an unassailable position just 5 years ago to where they find themselves today.
I'm not sure about anyone else, but i feel it very dishonest when i can get a price-match on the on-line goods, but only if i ASK for it! I've also visited other stores, notably Camberley, where i have heard customers being misled or even lied to. This really isn't good enough.
that being said, i hope some stores remain and people like yourself continue to be employed in them.
digitalfailure
20-06-2007, 19:08
Hi James
1 diamond doesn't make a mine :(
You sound like one of the few people in the Jessops stores who actually cares about what they do, sadly in my experience your greatly out numbered by people who don't know their **** from their elbow :(
I was recently astounded by one member of staff at my local store not even knowing the companies policy on price match :eek:
It's good to have you on here and I hope to see more posts by you, it's always nice to have opinions from the other side of the fence so to speak.
Mcpickering
20-06-2007, 19:12
yes, well i havn't realy been to many other jessop's stores so i havnt had much previous experiance, maybe you should treck all the way over to Reading next time you want service, im sorry to hear all of these people wit bad experiences at jessops, it surprised me but then i suppose there are alot of people who work at jessops just for the money and dont give a rat's arse about the customers, but i pride myself on the fact that i will try the hardest i can for all customers that i serve in our store.
i realise that internet has taken over, but i would personally like to hold the camera before i purchase, so until they can do this over the internet, high-street stores will remain and i suppose they will always be slightly more expensive than their online counterparts.
i do definately agree with the comment about memory cards, i am still in disbelief at the outrageous prices we sell them at, i do try to occasionally tell the customers that it would be cheaper online but i have to be careful i'm not talking to someone from the company, who is testing our sales knowledge, cos i would loose my job.
James
Mcpickering
20-06-2007, 19:14
and im sorry about the numerous typos and bad grammar in my posts, lol, im just too tyred to type properly
iansmart
20-06-2007, 20:47
It's the same in Edinburgh, two stores, one at each end of the same street.
With a 3rd on the city outskirts.
Not any more, the one near St Andrew Square has already closed. Was a bit of a waste of time them refitting it after they bought it just a few months ago.
digitalfailure
20-06-2007, 21:08
James
regardless of where you work, we're happy your here :D
The only part of my kit i've bought online is a cheap remote trigger :D
I think I've had about 10 digital cameras now including 3 dslrs, lots of lenses, bags and other bits and bobs and they've ALL come from the high street because I do like to see what i'm buying. if the box isn't sealed i don't get it. :) But even though I had 2 jessops in the city center I prefer to go to an independant shop down the road from them. They match net prices as close as possible and offer brilliant service.
Have a look on this link (unless you've already seen it)
http://technorati.com/tag/jessops
Also I'm after a HVL-F56AM flash unit for my Alpha 100, at the Jessops website it is full price at £329.99, I can get it at least £60 cheaper from the Devon Camera website.......
woadrage
21-06-2007, 04:27
...... high-street stores will remain and i suppose they will always be slightly more expensive than their online counterparts.
I would suggest that one of the problems with Jessops stores is there are too many of them, they're too small and they're all on the high street. Too small meaning the majority of those I've been in don't have room to display (or stock) more than a couple of tripods instead of being able to display a representative selection of models from each of the main tripod manufacturers or more than a handful of bags, some of which will be its own brand range. And no, I don't consider Jessops a main manufacturer or brand when it comes to specialist kit so own brand doesn't count.
I work during the week and hate shopping at any time but especially at weekends when I avoid town centres like the plague. I suspect that Jessops have missed a trick in not developing fewer but larger out of town stores with space to really stock and display a wide selection of specialist kit.
woadrage
21-06-2007, 06:37
This has now been announced: 81 stores to close and 550 jobs to be cut:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6225070.stm
Full details here for anyone who's that interested:
http://www.thelondonstockexchange.com/LSECWS/IFSPages/MarketNewsPopup.aspx?id=1511348&source=RNS
inophoto
21-06-2007, 08:39
Whilst this is bad news for workers, it does seem like a sensible decision. 31 of the stores are ones which make a loss, another 47 are ones that are geographically close to other stores and 3 which need redeveloping. A tough decision but probably one of the better ones they have made recently. I hope that they pass on some of these savings by making their prices a little more realistic.
CScottMcQueen
21-06-2007, 08:53
Its a shame they cant be a little bit better priced, I much prefer to go and get a feel for the goods rather than order from a picture. Maybe if they shut down all the second shops in these towns then they can put the rent and rates money back into reducing prices. nice thought but ain't gonna happen !http://img52.exs.cx/img52/4566/i7pfrusty.gif
MichaelPlace
21-06-2007, 09:39
There are two in Carlise centre, went into the first one to ask for an ND8 on a 77mm screw in - didn't know what we were talking about, tried blagging her way out of it by telling us that they don't make them as everyone uses the cokin square filters etc. The second one was better and knew what he was talking about but he seemed like the manager rather than a standard sales assistant. Still didn't have one in stock.
I've used jessops online and they shouldn't be discounted immediately - go and check their pricing it is often very good (often way of the point as well).
But generally speaking the stores are expensive - filled with sales assistants who aren't interested in photography and have little to no stock of the specialist stuff you might expect.
But generally speaking the stores are expensive - filled with sales assistants who aren't interested in photography and have little to no stock of the specialist stuff you might expect.
I recently bought a Nikon D2Xs - Body only - from a local Jessops store. Their price was good - only £10 more expensive than the best online deal I could find without risking the Hong Kong route.
Alas - the young sales assistant was most adamant that I buy a UV filter to protect it.
*Sigh
woadrage
21-06-2007, 16:15
"Photographic retailer Jessops plans to close nine Scottish stores and cut dozens of jobs.
"The closures affect three Aberdeenshire stores, two in Glasgow and one each in Edinburgh, Inverness, Nairn and Dundee - costing about 50 jobs.
"Portlethen, Banchory and Ellon are the three closures in Aberdeenshire."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/6226106.stm
old news now, but it was just on the news on BBc 1
not looking good for jessups, hopefully they will see the light and drop their prices to compete
Alas - the young sales assistant was most adamant that I buy a UV filter to protect it.
*Sigh
I always thought it was cheaper to replace a scratched UV filter than a scratched lens. This guy was just looking after your interests.:)
I used jessops to buy my 20D body, I wouldnt bother with filters and lenses as they are very overpriced.
I was pleased with the level of service I got, the person serving me was genuinely knowledgable about cameras and you could tell he had a keen interest in photography itself.
I always thought it was cheaper to replace a scratched UV filter than a scratched lens. This guy was just looking after your interests.:)
Not that I buy into the "Filters for protection" thing anyway.... but... I was buying a camera BODY!
woadrage
22-06-2007, 07:42
There's an analysis of Jessops' situation and problems in the business section of today's Indy:
http://news.independent.co.uk/business/analysis_and_features/article2692525.ece
This paragraph is particularly interesting:
"Before flotation, Jessops spent several years under the ownership of ABN Amro Capital, which begged the question whether the private equity owners had under-invested in the business, causing longer-term problems which are manifesting themselves now. Mr Adams admitted there had been underinvestment in systems and supply issues which the company was currently addressing. Under ABN Amro, Jessops expanded rapidly from 200 to almost 300 stores, a strategy that worked while the market was growing but has caused problems at the first signs of a slowdown."
FIREWALLROB
23-06-2007, 16:10
If anyone buys from "certain photo stores", please make sure that the box has a security tag on (the one that shows a box has not been unopened) as the staff reguarly play with them - my friends have told me this in several stores where they work (and the store that I once worked had a manager and asst manager that did it).
Even managers are at it, using cameras or lenses for assignments, or just to pass time whilst bored - then quickly packing them into boxes when customers show an interest. This does NOT just apply to display models either. I have seen 1D bodies and Big Sigma / Canon lenses dropped and taken out myself, so I know my friends speak the truth.
Like I say, I am mentioning no names of which stores (or which branches), but if people are suspicious it can't happen to them can it :nono:
Well, been into town (Scunthorpe) today and the Jessops branch is now all but bare, only a few tripods left on display and printer paper. In last nights local paper it said that the store was to close in September...... the end has come early it would seem.
busman12
23-06-2007, 17:21
Does anyone know which Jessops stores will be closing ?
i would have thought that by now, they would have announced which ones.
woadrage
23-06-2007, 17:58
Does anyone know which Jessops stores will be closing ? i would have thought that by now, they would have announced which ones.
I've been looking on their corporate website but can't find a list. If anyone does find one, I'd be interested in seeing it myself.
Jonnyreb
23-06-2007, 18:15
There's a legal process they have to follow; namely consulting with staff and then, when / if necessary, notifying individuals of redundancies. AFTER that they MAY release sensitive data to the public.
FIREWALLROB
23-06-2007, 18:28
In B,ham City Centre the one next to Snow Hill and the one in the Bull ring are closing - leaving the so called "World Camera Centre" by Rackhams and McDonalds.
Many stores have been decided on, but several will follow if sales are low.
woadrage
23-06-2007, 18:29
There's a legal process they have to follow; namely consulting with staff and then, when / if necessary, notifying individuals of redundancies. AFTER that they MAY release sensitive data to the public.
There certainly is a process to be followed, but in practice that consultation will have been going on for months with the union reps within Jessops itself. There won't be any real consultation with shop staff on an individual basis since consultation will already have been held with their elected representatives. JPS's comments about the Scunthorpe branch already being all but stripped out and the announcement of the closure in the local paper indicates that the closure process is already very well advanced.
My guess is that the staff of the affected stores will have been told on Thursday morning, though maybe McPickering will correct me if I'm wrong.
woadrage
23-06-2007, 18:37
In B,ham City Centre the one next to Snow Hill and the one in the Bull ring are closing - leaving the so called "World Camera Centre" by Rackhams and McDonalds.
I don't think I've been in the Bullring or Snow Hill shops. Interesting that it will leave a city the size of Birmingham with only one, though to be fair at least the WCC branch is big enough to carry and display a good range of stock.
icecavern
24-06-2007, 16:20
The problem with most Jessops is the staff don't seem to really care what they sell, and they're too busy helping people with the digital printing machies to offer any advice even if they could be bothered.
I have to say I live in Reading and the staff in there are very helpful. I bought a D200 from them last year as they offered it at £10 LESS than I could get it anywhere else, and I had somewhere to take it if it all went wrong. I used to buy everything from jessops, as they did the online price match, but the end of that saw the start of the dimise imo.
But I'm thinking of getting myself a Sigma 300mm prime and even jessops online are nearly £200 more expensive than AJPurdy.
Pete
Mcpickering
24-06-2007, 17:23
My guess is that the staff of the affected stores will have been told on Thursday morning, though maybe McPickering will correct me if I'm wrong.
We aren't actually allowed to discuss it but we havnt been officially told whether or not we are closing yet :shrug:
FIREWALLROB
24-06-2007, 17:57
Your manager should have been displaying "performance charts" in your rest area, comparing you with the rest of the stores in the area manager's catchment area.
If you are the only store in the area, and a better than average performing store (in terms of sales), you should be ok.
I hope you are ok, but get out soon - the HSBC "bail-out" is only for 18 months :thumbsdown:
In all, not surprising... just look at their pricing policy:
2GB Sandisk CF Extreme 3 / 4 cards; £125+
They are simply pricing themselves out of the market, when you can get 8 - 12GB of the same cards for that money elsewhere. OK, true there are overheads to consider, but that is simply ridiculous isn't it?
The only time I go to them is when forced to or need something quick and online would take too long or be uncertain as to the availability.
FlyerFoto
25-06-2007, 06:22
[QUOTE=reezeh;290265]2GB Sandisk CF Extreme 3 / 4 cards; £125+[QUOTE]
???
Thought they were £64.99?
Still not the cheapest, I know, but at least they ARE a genuine one - I know of somebody who bought a cheap on off Ama*on and it failed on every point of the 'tests to see if your memory card is genuine'
Still, why not buy everything online?
It doesn't matter if you can't go into a shop to try things, when you've got magazine reviews to go on - and we all know they are totally unbiased and don't give good reviews to the people who spend the most on advertising, don't we? (Olympus SP-510, 90%, Canon Ixus 70, 68%?? I know which I'd rather have for picture quality and it WOULDN't Be the Olympus!!)
List of locations where stores are closing:
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/Jessops_issues_store_closure_list_news_125708.html
Michael.
To be honest, I don't care any more. Ten years ago I loved all the shops I could get and trade second hand gear, loved having somewhere I could go to look at stuff.. and nowadays that's all they are really good for, looking at stuff before you buy online. There are a few decent staff around Brum, one is away in Iraq on tour at the mo and the other decent guy is so moody you have to appreciate he actually has been around a while. Otherwise I couldn't care less. I guess it's sad but as we all know, and have said, they've priced themself out the market and made people like me apathetic to their cause now. It'd be great if they dropped their prices to anything close to online but it's never gonna happen. :(
Jonnyreb
25-06-2007, 11:11
Woadrage had the best idea IMO - out of twon superstores. Wouldn't it be great to be able to actually see a complete range of goods on display with reasonable prices too???
digitalfailure
25-06-2007, 19:57
Chester is listed on there, my guess is they'll just not do anything with the shop that was fire damaged before christmas and leave the little store by the cathedral open.
woadrage
26-06-2007, 05:53
Chester is listed on there, my guess is they'll just not do anything with the shop that was fire damaged before christmas and leave the little store by the cathedral open.
Isn't this half the problem, though? They're trying (supposedly) to be a serious photographic retailer with shops which are no bigger than, and often smaller than, those run by high street film processors. How can you keep and display a sensible range of stock in those conditions?
PapaLazarou
26-06-2007, 06:32
Good news then, in Stockport there used to be 2 great little camera shops and 1 Jesops. Then Jesops opened 2 new stores 1 right near each of the camera shops. The camera shops soon closed down and when they did Jesops closed one of there stores. They still have 2 shops in Stockport not more the a 2 minute walk from each other. I hate them.
digitalfailure
26-06-2007, 21:31
Isn't this half the problem, though? They're trying (supposedly) to be a serious photographic retailer with shops which are no bigger than, and often smaller than, those run by high street film processors. How can you keep and display a sensible range of stock in those conditions?
The other branch in Chester isn't as small as some I've seen, so they still manage to display a fair sized stock.
but as I'm a loyal customer of Camera Solutions who are about 2 mins walk away from Jessops.......I'm not bothered about the closure really aside from the job losses.
digitalfailure
30-06-2007, 21:43
An update from today
The small chester branch IS closing, so it looks like Chester has lost both branches :eek:
In typical jessops style though, they can't even do a closing down sale right. huge posters in the window saying everything must go......in I go to try and get a 50mm f1.4 on the cheap to be told that they've sent all the good stuff back to the warehouse. :(
hardly everything must go is it :thinking:
Update on the Scunthorpe branch that I spoke about in an earlier post. It is now stocking 'sale' items only. Although after going in today to see what I could use my credit card on - it turns out that at the moment the sale items are compacts, a few different types of lens, paper, camera bags, and other bits of 'tat'. Nothing really in there worth buying.
Good news then, in Stockport there used to be 2 great little camera shops and 1 Jesops. Then Jesops opened 2 new stores 1 right near each of the camera shops. The camera shops soon closed down and when they did Jesops closed one of there stores. They still have 2 shops in Stockport not more the a 2 minute walk from each other. I hate them.
Wonder which one will close. Warren Street or Princess Street :thinking:
It would have been better to close both and move onto the Portwood Shopping Centre. Bigger store and better stock. People might use them more. :eek:
magpieant
30-06-2007, 22:57
The wife and I are heading to Stockport tomorrow .....
Watch this space for any Jessops news!!!
Anth.
Blackvault
08-07-2007, 21:47
My branch in Lisburn is remaining but Belfast is marked for closure. Lisburn is a 10th the size of Belfast - the Capital of Northern Ireland. Odd policy going on there :S
Blackvault
photo-request
08-07-2007, 21:50
went to bolton today, the new jessops on Middlebrook retail park is closing. They keep the one near mathers and close the one which is on the busy out of town centre.
photo-request
08-07-2007, 21:50
ps why dont warehouse express buy the 80 closing and whoop jessops out of the water lol
I used to work for Jessops a few years ago. To be honest we were predicting this collapse the day they started buying everyone. There was no way they could sustain that growth especially when in some small town centers they had 2-3 stores. I agree that some stores give excellent quality service, I know that people used to come from miles to the branch I worked at purely for the service. They loved that they could come in and play with the gear and stand around chatting about photography and maybe have a coffee when it was quiet. Along with the fact that we always used to try and get the prices down for them. I must admit that I miss it. What i don't miss is Jessops as an employer. I can honestly say that they are the worst company I have ever worked for. They dont give a rats a** about the staff, or the customers for that matter. All they care about are the numbers. Staff incentives are pretty much zero, unless that is you force add ons and warranties down your customers throats. I don't know what the standard redundency pay offs are for other businesses but I heard that Jessops staff will get the equivalent of 1 weeks pay for every year worked. Knowing Jessops that will be net not gross!!!
Rant over
nebulising queen
09-07-2007, 18:24
Looks like the two closest to me are remaining open Gateshead and Newcastle I thought the Newcastle one might go because its opposite the Jacobs. Either way I rarely go to Jessops as I find the staff pretty useless and prices too high. I tend to go to John Lewis for my cameras (fantastic after service) and very reasonably priced or shop on line.
Wanda
unclerichy
09-07-2007, 21:39
The Rotherham one has turned to a clearance store and just seems to have a bunch of consumer stuff left (small cases, compact cameras and the like). The one in Meadowhall is shut (temporarily) due to it being underwater not so long ago.
All a bit of a bugger as I wanted to have a fumble with a Manfrotto tripod yesterday :naughty:
Wonder which one will close. Warren Street or Princess Street :thinking:
It would have been better to close both and move onto the Portwood Shopping Centre. Bigger store and better stock. People might use them more. :eek:
I know it's unrelated but top avatar :)
I'm amazed that They will leave 2 Jessops stores in Cardiff open. One is brand new but a pants location, the otehr I guess passing trade opposite the castle ?
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